Electrotherapeutic apparatus



mmf-:LELE CGW May 25,1926.

M. SPETER ELECTROTHEBAPEUTIC APPARATUS Filed Nov.

jiji/gw: M. f

Patented May C25,1926.

MAX SPETER, OF STADT WEEI-LE'N, GERMANY.

Application led November 22,' 1922. ,Serial N o. 602,664.-

This invention relates to improvements lin electro-therapeutic apparatus 'i for treating 5, 5

the human body'with the aid of electricity which can be derived from any existing electric supply mains such as an electric .light or power circuit.

The object of the present invention 1s to improve the eil'ect of the electric current plied by the electrodes to the human body.

a '.[Ilns is accomplished by connecting one or shown in the British v marble, burnt clay, or the like,

more solid bodies consisting of preferably mineral substances producing the edect of lso called electric semifconductors, which as ,specifications 144,7 61 and 146,747 may consist of slate, agate',

in the circuit of the electrodes. The' substances .named above have thel property notto conduct-directly electricity of low voltage, but to have the effect of high resistances in high .voltage circuits and always to let flow off electrical charges. The electrodes 1 themselves, or one 'of them, may cousist-ofsuch semi-conductors. The wires by which the apparatus is connected to the electric-supply circuit may terminate in ordinary termiof a'plug 6 int the nals such as the .plug of a plug switch Iadapted to be inserted in the plug sockets of an electric light installation or the like.

The invention is illustrated in the drawing. Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of one form of the novel' apparatus. Fig. 2 shows an apparatus in which the electrodes are connected to a hollow plugwhiclncontains the semi-conductors and is provided with pins adapted to be inserted in a wall socket of a pluo'` switch.` Fig. 3 is a modi ication -in which the electrodes are connected to a screw plug containing the semiconductors. Fig; 4 is an apparatus in which one semi-conductor is mounted in the plug and another semi-conductor forms one of the electrodes'. Fig. 5 shows another modi- `ication in which both electrodes are 4formed of a semi-conductor.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing' 1 represents a part'of humanbodyto which electricity is applied by velectrodes 2 and 3. `The electricity is takenf'irom an electric light circuitjfor example by inserting the pins 7 socket of a plug switch. The wires each lead from a pin 7 through a vfnen'ii-conductorifi. to one of the electrodes 2 and 3 respectively which .may con ist marble or any The semi-conductors Il, of a plate of wood, other aforementioned substance, arel interposed between inetalplatos -'Fig. 2 shows a simple practical form of the apparatus. This apparatus consists of two electrodes suitable for application to the human body, electric conductors in the form of a flexible cord 8, anda plug 6 provided with terminals in the shape oi' pins 7 adapted to be inserted in the sockets of a plug switch. The body of the plug is constructed in a form of a casing closed at one end by a-removable cover 9. Arranged in the casing `are two marble plates 4 provided at two oppositesides with contacting metal plates and fixed to the walls o the casing byfm'eans of screws 10. The external plates 5 are connected by `wires or conductors 11 to the pins 7 while the internal ,plates are connected to the two conductors of the flexible cord 8.

In Fig. Bthe device for connecting the apparatus to the electric supply `circuit has the shape of an Edison screw plug, similar to. the screw plug of an electric glow lamp. In the interior of the body consisting of a screw portion 12 and a hollow base -13 of insulation,- the two semi-conductors'c are arranged, one of which extends lengthwise while'the otherextends transversely in the screw plug. The semi-conductor that exi tends lengthwise is connected at one end to the top contact 14; of the threaded body 12. while the other end is connected to one of the conductors in the flexible cord 8 leading to the electrodes 2. The semi-conductortthat,

extends transversely in the screw plug is connected at one end to a meta-l strip 15 leading tothe metal screw 12, while the other end yisconnected to the second conductor i'n the flexible cord 8.

In the apparatus shown iu Fig. 4f. only `one `semi-conductor '20 is used, 'this semi# conductorforming one of the electrodes. v A piece of metal sheet 21 is attached to the rear surface of the electrode 2O and this plate and the other electrode 25 `are connected through flexible conductors 8 to a plug @with terminals 26, 26. Ther person to be treated being .connected directly to one pole of the electric supply, the same is preferably located on an insulating plate, chair or the like. Y

ln the modification shown in Fig. 5, both electrodes consist 'of semiconductors'20', 20, to whose tached which are connectedv through llexible rear surfaces plates are at` conductors 8 to a plug G. One oi the semiconductors 20 may preferably lieeoncave or slightly curved inwards at the surface that is to be applied tothe bod)v in the manner shown in Fig. at at the electrode 20. The other semi-coluluctor 2U is ball-shaped to make it easil),v to beheld in the hand. The plates 2l may be attached to the semiconductors by moans of puter-glass it the semi-conductors consist ot stone-like material. The bare sonti-conductors may be applied to the body or they may be coated with a covering 231 o'l leather or cloth as shown on the electrode 20 in Fig. Vi, which enables the electrot'les to be moistened.

The apparatus has a peculiar etlect. ll the plug is connected to an alternating current supply and the electrodes are applied in a dry state to the body the person treated will experience a sensation similar to that produced by vibration massage, particularly if his body is rubbed by the electrode being moved to and l'ro or in circles. It the electrodes are moistened the pricking sensation will be more intense. 'These ei'- iects will remain the .saine it' the one `electrode is grasped by tlu` patient while the operator holds the otherelectrode in his one hand and carries out the therapeutic touch by stroking the part ot the body to be treated with the other hand. At all events the semi-conductor or conductors connected in series with the human body seem to have the eiiect partly like the dielectrieum ota condenser partly lilte a high resistance 1n` combination with a high contact resistance but a relatively" good interior conductivity all those properties producing the singular eilect on the body.

Either a sen'ii'conductior electrode or a metallic electrodo may be used according to the etl'eet that. is to'be produced. The effeet will also be ditierent according as an electrode with a small or large contacting surtace is employed.

.An important point to be considered in connecting the apparatus is that the patient must not be directly connected to a terminal of the current supply. This could happen in an arrangement according to Fig. l if the person to be treated would not be located in insulated manner and the metal electrode Q5 were connected through the plug G with a lead ot the alternating current supply that is not connectedto earth. To avoid this the plug may be provided with pins 2G, 26 ot different diameters which canonly loe introduced into `a plug socket in the right manner. An undesirable connection of this kind can be avoided without employing plug pins and sockets of special kinds by connecting'a semi-conductor resistance in the manner shown in Fig. 1 in the Wire leading to the metal electrode 25 or by only using apparatus of the kind shown in Figs. 2 or 3, or by using a semi-conductor electrode in the place ot' the metal electrode 25, which semi-conductor electrode may be of the kind shown in Fig. 6.

1t will be understood, of course, that all the forms Aof apparatus shown are merely embodiments ot my invention, which `forms may be varied considerably without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1. Electro-therapeutic apparatus4 adapted to be connected to a low frequency alternating current "supply, comprising electrodes adapted for application to the body ot' the person to be treated, one of these electrodes consisting of mineral substance classed as a semi-conductor, and electric connections between the electrodes and the current supply torming with the body an electric circuit- 2. Electro-therapeutic apparatus adapted to be connected to alow frequency alternating current supply, comprising electrodes consisting of mineral substances classed as a semi-conductor and adapted for application to the body of the person t0 be treated, and 'electric connections between the electrodes and the current supply forming with the body an electric circuit.

3. Electro-therapeutic apparatus adapted to be connected to a plug socket ot' a low frequency alternating current supply, coinlprising a plug with terminals adapted to be inserted into the said socltet,electrodes for application to the body of the person to be treated, one of said electrodes consisting ot a mineral 'substance classed as a semiconductor, and conductors connected to said electrodes and said plug.

4. Electro-therapeutic appagatus adapted to be connected to a plug socket of a low frequency alternating current supply, co1nprising a plug with terminals adapted to be inserted into said socket, a ball-shaped electrode consisting of a mineral substance' classed as a semi-conductor, and conductors connecting said plug and said electrode.

5. Electro-therapeutic apparatus adapted to be connected to a low frequency alternating current supply, comprising an electrode consisting of a solid body of mineral substance classed as a semi-conductor effect, a metallic part connected to said body, a flexible conductor fixed to said metallic part and to said current supply, a cover of a material adapted to keep a iuid arranged at the outer side of the mineral body, another eleetrode adapted to be applied to the person to be treated, and a conductor connecting said electrode to the other pole of said current supply.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

` MAX SPETER. 

